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History Column
This week we will continue with some of Doug Kelly's pictures from his album. Next week we will take another look at the Gile's Boat Company and some excellent illustrations out of a 1910 catalog provided by John Holcomb.
If you have photographs to share with our readers please contact me
at 757-3240, e-mail to davep@blackcreekpress.com, or mail in care of
the Ludington Daily News, P.O. Box 340, Ludington, MI, 49431
Pic1
The National Bank like most of our banks in the area has undergone many name changes and ownership through the years. I remember going into the old bank on the corner of Ludington and James back about 1965 to put my 25-cent deposit into a Christmas Club account and making trips in with my cousin to get rolls of dimes to search for silver coins. We had to take turns going in so the clerks wouldn't get upset that we were trying to search all of the coins in their drawers.
Pic2
I've always liked this view of the block west of the Elks building in Ludington. Take a look at Lewis Drug store and the penny scale sitting out front. Scales like that were located all over town, weight and fortune for a penny. The Oriole Café, Morris five and dime, Gibbs Grocery Store, and Montgomery Wards. Note the license plates, remember when the first two letters were the County of residence?
Pic3
This is a view of the County Correspondents for the Ludington Daily News, there was a time when there were people in every section of the county responsible for collecting and calling in the news of their area. Pelton's Corners, Fern, Carr, Nordhouse and more were represented. All of the daily comings and goings wee recorded, from weddings, to who went to dinner or bought a new radio the paper brought everyone together.
Pic 4
This picture of Carl Sellner was taken by Russ Miller when he worked for the Daily News. The 1910 White Steamer was owned by O.S. Dean of Freesoil. As the story goes Dean had an accident the first time he drove the car and promptly parked it in the barn and it remained thee until Carl Sellner bought it.
Pic5
This is a picture that I would really like to know the history of. I'd be smiling too if these artifacts were hanging on the wall in my basement. The wall is full of name boards from steamships, the gentleman is holding a life preserver from the City of Grand Rapids and the disc on the floor is from one of the Ann Arbor Carferries. All great treasures and mementos from sailing ships of yesteryear.
Pic6
How often have you seen a Ludington parade going from West to East as we see in this picture? Does anyone recall when the route was reversed? Take a look at the signage on the stores lining Ludington Avenue and the Red Crown pumps in front of the gas station where Maudes is now located. Michigan Grill, Toggery, and Bonsers are just a few of the vanished business's that lined the avenue.

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